Pant-type wearable article

ABSTRACT

A wearable article includes front and back elastic belts, a crotch region, a waist opening, and leg openings. Each elastic belt is a laminate having an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and a an elastic member running in the transverse direction. Elastic bonding continuously bonds the elastic member for at least about 10 mm in the direction of stretch in a region adjacent side edges of the elastic belts, and vertical bonding applied to the inner and/or the outer sheet intermittently bonds the elastic member to said inner and/or outer sheets. At least one of the inner sheet and the outer sheet comprises a plurality of deformations aligned in the longitudinal direction. The article has a Stretch Circumference Force of about 6.5 N or less and a Fit Circumference Force of at least about 3.0 N. The ratio of Stretch Circumference Force/Fit Circumference Force is less than about 1.8.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. PCT/CN2020/073518, filed on Jan. 21, 2020, and to Chinese Patent Application No. PCT/CN2019/075100, filed on Feb. 14, 2019, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pant-type wearable articles having an elastic belt with improved regularity of gathers, improved comfort and softness, while providing good fit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Infants and other incontinent individuals wear absorbent articles such as diapers to receive and contain urine and other body exudates. Pull-on absorbent articles, or pant-type absorbent articles, are those which are donned by inserting the wearer's legs into the leg openings and sliding the article up into position about the lower torso. Pant-type absorbent articles have become popular for use on children who are able to walk and often who are toilet training, as well as for younger children who become more active in movement such that application of taped-type absorbent articles tends to be more difficult, and also for younger babies requiring a soft fit around the waist opening and leg openings.

Pant-type articles may take various structures wherein the circumference of the waist opening and vicinity thereof is made elastic enough to facilitate the wearer or the caregiver to expand the article and insert the wearer's legs into the leg openings for wearing the article. The region of the waist circumference and vicinity thereof is often referred to as the elastic belt. One type of structure for the pant-type article is the belt-type pant having a central chassis to cover the crotch region of the wearer and a separate elastic belt defining the waist opening and leg opening, such as described in PCT Publication WO 2006/17718A. Another type of structure for the pant-type article is the uni-body pant configured such that the outer cover of the article completely covers the entirety of the garment-facing surface of the article, wherein the portion configured to stretch about the torso is considered the elastic belt region.

Whatever the structure of the pant-type article may be, pant-type articles provide only a very small range of size adjustment or body configuration adjustment based on the structural limitations of the article. As such, pant-type articles are typically so configured to accommodate size and configuration ranges by providing the elastic belt region very stretchable and comfortable to wear, yet with reliable fit such that sufficient protection against sagging and leakage may be provided. Further, the elastic belt region may be the portion which is most touched and observed by the wearer or the caregiver upon use, and thus its properties most associated with the quality of the article. By quality, what may be desired is an undergarment-like appearance provided by aesthetically pleasing regularity of gathers. It has been found, however, that even if such properties are met when the article is freshly manufactured, such properties may change as the product ages. A number of factors may be attributable to such change of properties, including but not limited to, ageing of adhesive material used for attaching elastic members with substrate parts of the article. Ageing of adhesive material is of particular interest, as such ageing may alter the force properties of the elastic belt.

Based on the foregoing, there is a need for a wearable article providing improved stretchability for ease of application, improved fit for preventing sagging, improved comfort and softness, and improved breathability for skin health. There is also a need for a wearable article having such properties for the length of the intended shelf life. There is also a need for providing such a wearable article which can be economically made.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a wearable article continuous in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction comprising a front elastic belt, a back elastic belt, a crotch region, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings; the crotch region extending longitudinally between the front elastic belt and the back elastic belt;

wherein each of the front and back elastic belt is a laminate comprising an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and an elastic member running in the transverse direction,

wherein the laminate further comprising an elastic bonding which continuously bonds the elastic member for at least about 10 mm in the direction of stretch in a region adjacent the side edges of the front and back elastic belts, and a vertical bonding applied to at least one of the inner sheet and the outer sheet with intervals in the transverse direction to intermittently bond the elastic member to at least one of the inner sheet and the outer sheet,

wherein at least one of the inner sheet and the outer sheet comprises a plurality of deformations wherein the deformations are aligned in the longitudinal direction,

wherein the article has a Stretch Circumference Force of no more than about 6.5 N, preferably no more than about 6.0 N, and a Fit Circumference Force of at least about 3.0 N, wherein the ratio of the value of Stretch Circumference Force/Fit Circumference Force is less than about 1.8.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description which is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention in a contracted state showing the front side of the article.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of one embodiment of a wearable article of the present invention with the seams enjoined and in a flat uncontracted condition showing the garment facing surface.

FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 showing the elastic member positioning, elastic adhesive bondings and discrete patterned adhesive bondings.

FIG. 3B is an expanded schematic plan view of a section of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a schematic cross section view of FIG. 3B taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4B is a schematic cross section view of FIG. 4A in a contracted state.

FIG. 5A is a schematic plan view of an elastic belt of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a plan view of an elastic belt of the present invention in a stretched state.

FIG. 5C is a plan view of an elastic belt of FIG. 5B in a contracted state.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an example of a hanger-type sample holding fixture according to the “Whole Article Force Measurement”.

FIGS. 7A-7C are images of Example 1 in its original and processed forms related to the “Directional Dispersion Value” measurements.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meaning specified thereafter:

“Wearable article” refers to articles of wear which may be in the form of pants, taped diapers, incontinent briefs, feminine hygiene garments, and the like. The “wearable article” may be so configured to also absorb and contain various exudates such as urine, feces, and menses discharged from the body. The “wearable article” may serve as an outer cover adaptable to be joined with a separable disposable absorbent insert for providing absorbent and containment function, such as those disclosed in PCT publication WO 2011/087503A.

“Pant” refers to disposable absorbent articles having a pre-formed waist and leg openings. A pant may be donned by inserting a wearer's legs into the leg openings and sliding the pant into position about the wearer's lower torso. Pants are also commonly referred to as “closed diapers”, “prefastened diapers”, “pull-on diapers”, “training pants” and “diaper-pants”.

“Longitudinal” refers to a direction running substantially perpendicular from a waist edge to an opposing waist edge of the article and generally parallel to the maximum linear dimension of the article.

“Transverse” refers to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

“Proximal” and “distal” refer respectively to the position closer or farther relative to the longitudinal center of the article.

“Body-facing” and “garment-facing” refer respectively to the relative location of an element or a surface of an element or group of elements. “Body-facing” implies the element or surface is nearer to the wearer during wear than some other element or surface. “Garment-facing” implies the element or surface is more remote from the wearer during wear than some other element or surface (i.e., element or surface is proximate to the wearer's garments that may be worn over the disposable absorbent article).

“Disposed” refers to an element being located in a particular place or position.

“Joined” refers to configurations whereby an element is directly secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the other element and to configurations whereby an element is indirectly secured to another element by affixing the element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.

“Film” refers to a sheet-like material wherein the length and width of the material far exceed the thickness of the material. Typically, films have a thickness of about 0.5 mm or less.

“Water-permeable” and “water-impermeable” refer to the penetrability of materials in the context of the intended usage of disposable absorbent articles. Specifically, the term “water-permeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure having pores, openings, and/or interconnected void spaces that permit liquid water, urine, or synthetic urine to pass through its thickness in the absence of a forcing pressure. Conversely, the term “water-impermeable” refers to a layer or a layered structure through the thickness of which liquid water, urine, or synthetic urine cannot pass in the absence of a forcing pressure (aside from natural forces such as gravity). A layer or a layered structure that is water-impermeable according to this definition may be permeable to water vapor, i.e., may be “vapor-permeable”.

“Extendibility” and “extensible” mean that the width or length of the component in a relaxed state can be extended or increased.

“Elasticated” and “elasticized” mean that a component comprises at least a portion made of elastic material.

“Elongatable material”, “extensible material”, or “stretchable material” are used interchangeably and refer to a material that, upon application of a biasing force, can stretch to an elongated length of at least about 110% of its relaxed, original length (i.e. can stretch to 10 percent more than its original length), without rupture or breakage, and upon release of the applied force, shows little recovery, less than about 20% of its elongation without complete rupture or breakage as measured by EDANA method 20.2-89. In the event such an elongatable material recovers at least 40% of its elongation upon release of the applied force, the elongatable material will be considered to be “elastic” or “elastomeric.” For example, an elastic material that has an initial length of 100 mm can extend at least to 150 mm, and upon removal of the force retracts to a length of at least 130 mm (i.e., exhibiting a 40% recovery). In the event the material recovers less than 40% of its elongation upon release of the applied force, the elongatable material will be considered to be “substantially non-elastic” or “substantially non-elastomeric”. For example, an elongatable material that has an initial length of 100 mm can extend at least to 150 mm, and upon removal of the force retracts to a length of at least 145 mm (i.e., exhibiting a 10% recovery).

“Dimension”, “Length”, “Width”, “Pitch”, “Diameter”, “Aspect Ratio”, “Angle”, and “Area” of the article are all measured in a state wherein the article is extended to the Full Stretch Circumference W1 according to the “Whole Article Force Measurement” herein, and utilizing a ruler or a loupe, unless specified otherwise.

“Artwork” refers to a visual presentation to the naked eye, which is provided by printing or otherwise, and having a color. Printing includes various methods and apparatus well known to those skilled in the art such as lithographic, screen printing, flexographic, and gravure ink jet printing techniques.

“Color” or “Colored” as referred to herein includes any primary color except color white, i.e., black, red, blue, violet, orange, yellow, green, and indigo as well as any declination thereof or mixture thereof. The color white is defined as those colors having a L* value of at least 94, an a* value equal to 0±2, and a b* value equal to 0±2 according to the CIE L*a*b* color system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a wearable article 20 of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a wearable article of the present invention in a contracted state showing the front side, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a wearable article with the seams unjoined and in its flat uncontracted condition showing the garment-facing surface. The wearable article 20 has a longitudinal centerline LX which also serves as the longitudinal axis, and a transverse centerline TX which also serves as the transverse axis. The wearable article 20 has a body facing surface, a garment facing surface, a front elastic belt 84, a back elastic belt 86, a crotch region 30, and side seams 32 which join the front elastic belt 84 and the back elastic belt 86, to form two leg openings and a waist opening.

The wearable article 20 may be a belt-type pant as in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 comprising a central chassis 38 to cover the crotch region 30 of the wearer, a front elastic belt 84 and a back elastic belt 86 (hereinafter may be referred to as “front and back elastic belts”), the front and back elastic belts 84, 86 forming a discrete ring-like elastic belt 40 extending transversely defining the waist opening. For the belt-type pant, the discrete ring-like elastic belt 40 may also be referred to as the elastic belt 40. For the belt-type pant as in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, the front and back elastic belts 84, 86 and the central chassis 38 jointly define the leg openings. For the belt-type pant, the front elastic belt 84 is the front region 26, and the back elastic belt 86 is the back region 28, and the remainder is the crotch region 30. While not shown, the wearable article 20 may be a uni-body type pant configured such that the outer cover of the central chassis 38 and the elastic belt 40 are common. For the uni-body type pant, the portion extending in the transverse direction between the side seams 32, respectively, are considered the front region 26 and the back region 28, and the remainder is the crotch region 30. For the uni-body type pant, the front region 26 is considered the front elastic belt 84, and the back region 28 is considered the back elastic belt 86.

The central chassis 38 may comprise a topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core 62 disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and further an outer cover layer 42 for covering the garment-facing side of the backsheet. The topsheet may be a water permeable substrate. The backsheet may be a water impermeable film. The outer cover layer 42 may be a nonwoven sheet. The central chassis 38 may contain an absorbent core 62 for absorbing and containing body exudates disposed on the central chassis 38, and an absorbent material non-existing region 61 surrounding the periphery of the absorbent core 62. The absorbent material non-existing region 61 may be made of the topsheet and/or the backsheet and/or the outer cover layer 42 and/or other parts configuring the central chassis 38. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the central chassis 38 has a generally rectangular shape, left and right longitudinally extending side edges 48 and front and back transversely extending end edges 50. The absorbent core 62 may exist through the entire longitudinal dimension of the crotch region and extending at least partly in the front region 26; or at least partly in both the front and back regions 26, 28. The central chassis 38 may have a front waist panel 52 positioned in the front region 26 of the absorbent article 20, a back waist panel 54 positioned in the back region 28, and a crotch panel 56 between the front and back waist panels 52, 54 in the crotch region 30. The center of the front elastic belt 84 is joined to a front waist panel 52 of the central chassis 38, the center of the back elastic belt 86 is joined to a back waist panel 54 of the central chassis 38, the front and back elastic belts 84, 86 each having a left side panel and a right side panel 82 where the central chassis 38 does not overlap. The central chassis has a crotch panel 56 positioned between the front waist panel 52 and the back waist panel 54.

The absorbent core 62 may include an absorbent layer and an acquisition layer. The absorbent layer is the region wherein absorbent materials having a high retention capacity, such as superabsorbent polymers, are present. The absorbent layer may be substantially cellulose free. Superabsorbent polymers of the absorbent layer may be disposed between first and second layers of material immobilized by a fibrous layer of thermoplastic adhesive material. The first and second layers of materials may be nonwoven fibrous webs including synthetic fibers, such as mono-constituent fibers of PE, PET and PP, multiconstituent fibers such as side by side, core/sheath or island in the sea type fibers. Such synthetic fibers may be formed via a spunbonding process or a meltblowing process. The acquisition layer facilitates the acquisition and the distribution of body exudates and may be placed between the topsheet and the absorbent layer. The acquisition layer may include cellulosic fibers.

The absorbent layers may be disposed in plurality in the absorbent core 62. Some portions of the absorbent layers may be configured to have substantially no absorbent material to form a channel or a plurality of channels. Channels may be useful for allowing the absorbent core 62 to bend upon swelling with fluids, such that the absorbent article conforms to the wearer's body after swelling and prevent sagging of the article. The channels may also be formed in the acquisition layer, and may be configured to at least partly match the channels of the absorbent layer in the thickness direction.

The elastic belt 40 of the article of the present invention acts to dynamically create fitment forces and to distribute the forces dynamically generated during wear. The front and back elastic belts 84, 86 may be joined with each other only at the side edges 89 to form side seams 32, a waist opening and two leg openings. Each leg opening may be provided with elasticity around the perimeter of the leg opening. The elasticity around the leg opening may be provided by the combination of elasticity from the front belt 84, the back belt 86, and the central chassis 38.

The longitudinal length of the backsheet and the outer cover layer 42 may be the same, or may be varied. For example, the outer cover layer 42 may have a shorter length compared to that of the backsheet, such that the outer cover layer 42 is devoid where the central chassis 38 overlaps the elastic belt 40. By such configuration, the elastic belt may have better breathability. Further, such configuration may provide cost saving. The transverse width of the backsheet and the outer cover layer 42 may be the same, or may be varied. For example, the backsheet may have a shorter transverse width compared to that of the outer cover layer 42. By such configuration, the longitudinal side edges 48 of the crotch panel 56, which make part of the leg openings, may have better breathability. Further, such configuration may provide cost saving.

The front elastic belt 84 and back elastic belt 86 are configured to impart elasticity to the belt 40. Referring to FIGS. 1B and 2, the front belt 84 and the back belt 86 may each comprise a laminate, the laminate comprising a plurality of elastic members 96 running in the transverse direction, an inner sheet 94, an outer sheet 92, and an outer sheet fold over (not shown) wherein the outer sheet fold over is an extension of the outer sheet material formed by folding the outer sheet material at the distal edge 88 of the front and back belts; wherein the belt elastic members 96 are sandwiched between two of these sheets. The front elastic belt 84 and the back elastic belt 86 may each be made only by elastic members 96, the inner sheet 94, the outer sheet 92, and the outer sheet fold over. The belt elastic members 96 may extend in the transverse direction to provide a ring like elastic belt 40 when the front elastic belt 84 and the back elastic belt 86 are joined. At least some of the elastic members 96 extend in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other. All of the elastic members 96 may extend in the transverse direction substantially parallel to each other. Such an article may be economically made. The front and back elastic belt 84, 86 each may have transversely continuous proximal and distal edges, the proximal edge 90 being located closer than the distal edge 88 relative to the longitudinal center of the article. At least about 10%, or at least from about 15% to not more than about 70%, of the front and back elastic belts from the waist opening in the longitudinal direction may be a laminate in active elasticity along the entire transverse dimension LW of the front and back elastic belts 84, 86. These regions of the front and back elastic belts 84, 86 in active elasticity are defined as the Upper Gather Region 220. Referring to FIGS. 1B and 2, the front and back elastic belts 84, 86 may be treated such that certain regions are removed of its elastic activity to form a non-elastic region 221. For each front and back elastic belt 84, 86, the region overlapping the front and/or back waist panel 52, 54 of the central chassis 38 may be removed of its elastic activity and defining the non-elastic region 221.

The elastic belt region 40 may be closely associated with the function and quality of the article. Thus, materials for forming the elastic belt region 40, as well as the gathering profile of the elastic belt region, are carefully selected by the manufacturer for providing the desirables for the article. An undergarment kind of appearance and aesthetically pleasing regularity of gathering may be associated with high quality. Pleasant tactile sense such as flexibility and cushiony touch may also enhance perception of high quality. Stretchability for ease of application, fit for preventing sagging, comfort and softness, as well as breathability for skin health, may be associated with high function. Highly aesthetically pleasing gathers which intuitively communicate the functional benefits described above provide the favorable entire usage experience of the article by the user. The user may be the wearer or the caregiver.

The gathers of the present invention are continuous in the longitudinal direction, however, the direction of continuity may or may not completely match the longitudinal axis. The direction of gather is the direction in which the individual gathers are continuous, wherein the individual gathers are lined up with mountains and valleys repeating in the transverse direction. The Upper Gather Region 220 of the present invention may have a Directional Dispersion Value of no more than about 11 points, or no more than about 9 points, according to Directional Dispersion Value Test Method herein. By Directional Dispersion Value, what is meant is the deviation from the direction of gather for each gathering, as analyzed by image analysis. The lower the Directional Dispersion Value, the less deviation of individual gathers from the direction of gather, and thus provides perception of aesthetically pleasing regularity.

The laminate having improved regularity of gathering of the present invention may be made by any method available in the art, and particularly by selecting a lofty nonwoven material of relatively high basis weight for the outer sheet 92, as well as by bonding the elastic members 96 in an appropriate denier, longitudinal pitch, and force; to one or both of the inner sheet 94 and the outer sheet 92. The elastic member 96 may be intermittently bonded in the direction of stretch. The laminate of the present invention may be suitably provided by the methods below.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the laminate may be made by bonding the elastic members 96 to at least one of the inner sheet 94 and the outer sheet 92, via a combination of an elastic bonding 230 and a vertical bonding 234. In FIG. 3A, the front elastic belt 84 is shown with the elastic members 96 and elastic bonding 230 expressed in solid lines. In FIG. 3A, the vertical bonding 234 is only expressed in the right side of the front elastic belt 84, and the side seams 32 are shown in an unjoined state.

What is meant by elastic bonding 230 herein is a bonding that bonds the elastic member 96 along the side edges 89 of the front and back elastic belts 84, 86. The elastic bonding 230 may be continuously applied to each elastic member 96 for a length of at least about 10 mm, or from about 10 mm to about 60 mm in the direction of stretch adjacent the side edges 89 of the front and back elastic belts 84, 86, including the length planned for side seaming. The elastic bonding 230 is to provide relatively strong bonding for the elastic member 96 and thus securely anchor the elastic member 96 within the laminate. The anchoring may be assisted by the side seaming. A certain percentage, or a greater percentage, of the dimension of the elastic bonding 230 along the side edges 89 may be seamed. The elastic bonding may also be utilized for an effective process of deactivating a limited transverse dimension of the elastic member 96. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3A, the elastic member 96 may be deactivated in portions overlapping the absorbent core 62. In addition to the side edge regions, the elastic bonding 230T may be provided on both sides of the certain transverse dimension of the elastic member 96 which is planned to be deactivated, wherein the portion of the elastic member between the elastic bondings 230T are severed and deactivated. The deactivated portions of the elastic member is not shown in the Figures. Such deactivation may be referred to herein as tummy cut, and the deactivated region may match the non-elastic region 221.

What is meant by vertical bonding 234 herein is a bonding applied to at least one of the inner sheet 94 and the outer sheet 92 with intervals in the transverse direction for intermittently bonding the inner sheet 94 and the outer sheet 92. The vertical bonding 234 may also bond the elastic member 96 to at least one of the inner sheet 94 and the outer sheet 92. The vertical bonding 234 may only be provided to the outer sheet 92. The vertical bonding 234 may only be provided to the inner sheet 94. Referring to FIG. 3A, vertical bonding 234 may be provided in a pattern for the entire area of the laminate. By providing vertical bonding 234 in a pattern for the entire area of the laminate, the vertical bonding 234 may serve as a bonding for the inner and outer sheets 92, 94 in regions where the elastic members 96 are severed. Vertical bonding 234 may be provided in regions adjacent the side edges 89 and thus overlapping the regions where the elastic bondings 230 are provided. Alternatively, vertical bonding 234 may be provided only in regions where the elastic bondings 230 are not provided. Vertical bonding 234 may be provided at least in regions where the elastic member 96 is in active elasticity, wherein the elastic bondings 230 are devoid.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the vertical bonding 234 is observed in the thickness direction of the laminate along a single elastic member 96 in an extended state in the direction of stretch, wherein FIG. 4A only expresses the outer sheet 92, vertical bonding 234, and the elastic member 96, wherein the vertical bonding 234 is provided on the outer sheet 92. The vertical bonding 234 may have a transverse dimension VG2 and provided as a continuous pattern aligned in the longitudinal direction, each longitudinal pattern of vertical bonding 234 spaced apart from each other with a transverse pitch VG1, wherein VG1 may be from about 2 mm to about 15 mm, and VG2 may be from about 0.2 mm to about 7 mm. When focusing on one elastic member 96, the vertical bonding 234 may provide intermittent bonding between the elastic member 96 and the inner sheet 94, or between the elastic member 96 and the outer sheet 92. This is in contrast with the elastic bonding 230 which is provided continuously along a certain length of the elastic member 96 in the direction of stretch. As such, in the region where the elastic member 96 is only intermittently bonded to one of the inner sheet 94 and the outer sheet 92, the portion of the elastic member 96 between the vertical bonding 234 in the transverse direction is unattached to any other part of the laminate. In FIG. 4A, the elastic member 96 is bonded to the outer sheet 92. Referring to FIG. 4B, when the elastic member 96 is allowed to contract, this causes the unattached portion of the outer sheet 92 to fold away from the elastic member 96 and form gathers. As such, compared to areas where the elastic bonding 230 is applied, the outer sheet 92 has less restriction in creating gathers.

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that by having less restriction for the inner sheet 94 and outer sheet 92 against the elastic members 96, this contributes in creating gathers of improved regularity, in that a significant amount of the inner and outer sheet materials 92, 94 existing between the vertical bondings 234 are available for creating gathers continuous in the longitudinal direction. Without being bound by theory, it is also believed that, by having less restriction for the inner and outer sheet materials 92, 94 against the elastic members 96, this allows improved stretchability of the elastic members 96, which may provide ease of application. Compared to elastic belts made only by elastic bonding 230 wherein all of the elastic members 96 are continuously bonded, the elastic belt 40 of the present invention may have a lower Stretch Circumference Force, according to the Whole Article Force Measurement Test Method herein. What is meant by Stretch Circumference Force is the loading force at a certain stretch level, which is believed to simulate initial stretch experience felt by the wearer or caregiver when inserting hands and stretch opening the article. Further, despite such relatively low Stretch Circumference Force, the elastic belt 40 of the present invention may maintain a suitable Fit Circumference Force, according to the Whole Article Force Measurement Test Method herein. What is meant by Fit Circumference Force is the unloading force at a certain stretch level, which is believed to simulate the force felt by the wearer while wearing the article. Accordingly, the article of the present invention has a Stretch Circumference Force of no more than about 6.5 N, or no more than about 6.0 N, and a Fit Circumference Force of at least about 3.0 N according to the Whole Article Force Test Method herein, wherein the ratio of the value of Stretch Circumference Force/Fit Circumference Force is less than about 1.8. A relatively low value for the ratio of Stretch Circumference Force/Fit Circumference Force means that there is less difference between the loading and unloading force felt by the wearer, thus providing the sensorial qualities similar to that of an undergarment. Without being bound by theory, it is also believed that, by having less restriction for the inner and outer sheet materials 92, 94 against the elastic members 96, this improves the breathability of the overall laminate, which may enhance skin health. Without being bound by theory, it is also believed that vertical bonding 234 provides a configuration wherein a greater percentage of the inner and outer sheet materials 92, 94 are available for forming the outer surfaces of the laminate when the elastic belt 40 is contracted, while the elastic members 96 remain positioned inside the thickness of the laminate. As such, the laminate is provided with improved loft and thickness, thus imparting improved comfort and softness when worn. Further, without being bound by theory, in that there is a great percentage of the inner and outer sheet materials 92, 94 available for forming the outer surfaces of the laminate in high regularity when the elastic belt 40 is contracted, this provides the body facing surface of the elastic belt 40 to have higher stiffness in the longitudinal direction, thus contributing in improved fit for preventing sagging. Still further, in that the elastic members are less visible when the elastic belt 40 is contracted, this further enhances the aesthetically pleasing regularity of gathers.

In order to make available for gathering a significant amount of the inner and outer sheet materials 92, 94 between the vertical bondings 234 in the transverse direction, VG1 may be from about 2 times to about 20 times, or from about 3.5 times to about 10 times of VG2.

By bonding, what may be utilized are any methods known in the art, such as use of hot melt adhesive, thermal energy, and ultrasonic energy. Bonding strength may be adjusted by the area of bonding, or by different adhesion or energy level provided by the bonding, for example, adjusting the amount and strength of an adhesive agent. The bonding strength of the elastic bonding 230 and the vertical bonding 234 may be the same or may be varied. The elastic bonding 230 and the vertical bonding 234 may be provided by the same hot melt adhesive.

The vertical bonding 234 may be a continuous line extending in the longitudinal direction. Referring to FIG. 3B, the vertical bonding 234 may be an array of discrete bondings aligned in the longitudinal direction. Each discrete vertical bonding 234 may have a longitudinal dimension of from about 0.5 mm to about 10 mm, and a longitudinal spacing VG3 of no greater than about 3 mm, or no greater than about 2 mm, or no greater than about 1 mm. By providing the vertical bonding 234 in an array of discrete bondings, the overall area of bonding may be decreased. This is advantageous for maintaining the laminate in a soft tactile sense, in that bonding may provide the inner and outer sheet material 92, 94 stiffer. Further, this may save material or energy for the bonding. Each discrete vertical bonding 234 may be provided in appropriate longitudinal pitch such that there is at least one discrete bonding that bonds each elastic member 96, however, this is not essential. Rather, it is essential that there is at least one discrete vertical bonding 234 existing in each longitudinal spacing of the elastic members 96, such that the neighboring elastic members 96 do not contact each other. In that the elastic bonding 230 provides secure bonding of the elastic member 96 along the side seams, as well as the outer periphery of the non-elastic region 221, so long as there is at least one discrete vertical bonding 234 existing in each longitudinal spacing of elastic members 96, this prevents the elastic member 96 from moving away from its intended position. For an entire front elastic belt 84 or an entire back elastic belt 86 there may be no elastic member 96 bonded to the inner sheet 94 or the outer sheet 92 by a discrete vertical bonding 234. For an entire front elastic belt 84 or an entire back elastic belt 86, at least one to about 50% of the elastic members 96 may be bonded to the inner sheet 94 or the outer sheet 92 by the discrete vertical bonding 234. For an individual elastic member 96 along its activated length, some portions may be bonded by the discrete vertical bonding 234, while some portions may be left unbonded by the discrete vertical bonding 234.

The article of the present invention may have left and right elastic bondings, wherein in this length between the left and right elastic bondings 230, 230T, the elastic member may be attached or not attached by discrete vertical bonding 234. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that providing the elastic bonding 230 length as small as possible, this provides the elastic belt to have favorable soft feeling. In embodiments wherein the bonding is provided by adhesive, by providing the bonding length as small as possible, this prevents aging of the adhesive on the elastic member 96. Aging of the adhesive may result in changing the intended force profile expected by the elastic member. In embodiments wherein the bonding is provided by heat or ultrasound, by providing the bonding length as small as possible, this prevents stiffening of the substrate materials caused by fiber deformation.

The article of the present invention may have a Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage of less than about 25%, or less than about 20%, or less than about 15%, according to the Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage and Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage Test Method herein. Namely, among all the elastic members 96 disposed on the front belt 84, less than about 25% of those elastic members are bonded to the laminate in active elasticity by a complete elastic bonding 230, 230T along the length of active elasticity of the individual elastic member. When all of the elastic members are completely bonded by elastic bonding 230, 230T, then the Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage is 100%. For those laminates having a Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage of less than about 100%, those elastic members that are not completely bonded by elastic bonding 230, 230T may further be subject of inspection of the percentage by which the specific elastic member is bonded by elastic bonding. The article of the present invention may have an Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage of less than about 50% according to the Bonding Percentage and Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage Test Method herein. Namely, among the individual elastic members which are not 100% bonded by elastic bonding 230, 230T, the percentage of each individual elastic member attached to the laminate by elastic bonding is inspected, and averaged. The lower the Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage, the less adhesive and/or heat is used for bonding the elastic member to the laminate.

Referring to FIG. 2, for the belt-type pant, the proximal edges 90 of the front and back belt 84, 86 may be provided with an end seal in order to keep the inner and outer sheets 92, 94 closed at the proximal edges 90 and thus prevent elastic members 96 from being accessible. Such unaccessibility of elastic members 96 may be particularly advantageous when the article is for a young wearer. Alternatively or additionally, the elastic member 96 which is positioned closest to the proximal edge 90 may be provided with an elastic bonding 230 along the transverse dimension of the elastic member 96 in portions of active elasticity.

Referring to FIG. 2, the elastic member 96 may be made by a plurality of elastic strands 96 running parallel to each other in the transverse direction, wherein the laminate has a region wherein the elastic strands 96 have a longitudinal pitch of from about 3 mm to about 18 mm, or from about 3 mm to about 12 mm, or from about 3 mm to about 7 mm. At least some of the Upper Gather Region 220 may have the elastic strands 96 disposed in a longitudinal pitch of from about 3 mm to about 7 mm. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such longitudinal pitch of the elastic strands 96, combined with the transverse pitch of the discrete patterned adhesive bonding 234 as described above, contributes in creating gathers of improved regularity by providing the appropriate longitudinal continuity of material provided by the stiffness of the inner and outer sheet materials 92, 94. At least a portion of the Upper Gather Region 220 may have the elastic strands 96 disposed in a constant longitudinal pitch, the constant pitch being from about 3 mm to about 18 mm, or from about 3 mm to about 12 mm, or from about 3 mm to about 7 mm, with a deviation of no more than about 1.5 mm. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such constant pitch of the elastic strands 96 contributes in creating gathers of improved regularity and continuity.

The front and back elastic belts 84, 86 may be made by running the continuous inner and outer sheet materials as well as the continuous elastic strands along the transverse axis of the article, and bonding them via the elastic bondings 230 and vertical bondings 234. During manufacture, the continuous inner and outer sheet materials and continuous elastic strands may be transferred in the machine direction, wherein the machine direction of manufacture matches the transverse axis TX of the article. In such manufacturing process, the vertical bondings 234 are provided continuous or discretely aligned in the cross machine direction and intermittently spaced apart by a pitch of VG1 in the machine direction of manufacture. The longitudinal pattern of vertical bondings 234 may match the cross machine direction of manufacture, namely the longitudinal axis LX of the article, or may be slightly titled for better control of the process, particularly when the vertical bonding 234 is provided by applying bonding on a rotating roller. The vertical bonding 234 may be tilted with an angle from the cross machine direction of manufacture, namely the longitudinal axis LX of the article, by from about 0.1 to about 30 degrees in either clock-wise or counterclock-wise direction, or from about 0.1 to about 15 degrees in either clock-wise or counterclock-wise direction.

The tensile stress (N/m) of the entirety of the front and back elastic belts 84, 86, respectively, may be profiled in order to provide the functional benefits of the present invention, such as ease of stretch and application, while also maintaining certain force during wear, to prevent the article from sagging after loading. When the elasticity of the front and back elastic belts 84, 86 are provided by a plurality of elastic members 96 running in the transverse direction, the tensile stress may be adjusted by one or more of the following methods; 1) elongation rate of the elastic member 96; 2) density (dtex) of the elastic member 96; 3) longitudinal pitch of multiple elastic members 96; and 4) effective length of elasticity of the elastic member 96 in the transverse direction. By elongation, “0% elongation” is meant the original length of the elastic member. When a portion of an elastic member 96 is removed of its elasticity, the remainder of the intact elastic member capable of imparting elasticity is defined as the “effective length of elasticity of an elastic member”.

Referring to FIG. 2, the front and back elastic belts 26, 28 may each be divided into 4 zones spanning in the transverse direction and defined of its position from the distal edge 88 to the proximal edge 90 relative to the percentage of the seam length LS. In the example of FIG. 2, the entirety of the length of the belt side edge 89 of the front region 26 is the front belt 84, and is seamed with a certain length of the belt side edge 89 of the back region 28 which is the back belt 86 to define a seam length LS. When seam length LS is considered 0% at the distal edge 88 and 100% at the proximal edge 90 of the side seam 32, the zones are defined as such: 0-25% is the waist zone 102, 25-50% is the distal tummy zone 104, 50-85% is the proximal tummy zone 106, and 85-100% is the leg zone 108. When there is an elastic member disposed at 25% from the distal edge 88, such elastic member is considered to be included in the waist zone 102. When there is an elastic member disposed at 50% from the distal edge 88, or 85% from the distal edge 88, such elastic member is considered to be included in the proximal tummy zone 106.

Certain zones of the belt may be disposed of elastic bodies having a density of no more than about 500 dtex. Elastic bodies having a density of no more than about 500 dtex may be disposed on one or more of the front waist zone 102, the front distal tummy zone 104, or the front leg zone 108. Elastic bodies having a density of no more than about 500 dtex may be disposed on one or more of the back waist zone 102, the back proximal tummy zone 104, or the back leg zone 108. At least 50% of the elastic members on each of the front belt 84 and the back belt 86 may have a density of no more than about 500 dtex. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that elastic bodies of relatively low density impart an easy initial stretch experience when stretch opening the article 20, while maintaining a good fit during wear. Namely, use of such elastic bodies of relatively low density are advantageous in providing a controlled Stretch Circumference Force, while maintaining a certain Fit Circumference Force.

In the article of the present invention, the tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone 106 may be provided higher than the tensile stress of any of the front waist zone 102, the front distal tummy zone 104, or the front leg zone 108. The tensile stress of the front proximal tummy zone 106 may be higher than the tensile stress of any other zone, either in the front or the back. The tensile stress of the back distal tummy zone 104 may be provided higher than any of the tensile stress of the back waist zone 102, the back proximal tummy zone 106, or the back leg zone 108. When comparing the 4 zones each of the front belt and the back belt, the tensile stress may be provided greatest in the order of: the front proximal tummy zone 106, followed by the back distal tummy zone 104. Without being bound by theory, such profiling of the tensile stress per zone is believed to provide the article of the present invention with a shaped elastic belt 40 that conforms well to a human body, particularly to a lower torso of a child of less than 36 months of age, and therefore provide good fit and comfort to the wearer, without compromise of sagging prevention or leakage prevention. Namely, the front proximal tummy zone 106 is subject to high tensile stress such that the article may be anchored against the wearer's trochanter, while leaving more area for the back proximal tummy zone 106 to accommodate the wearer's buttock. As long as the article is anchored securely at the trochanter, the Upper Gather Region 220 may be provided in relatively lower tensile stress. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such relatively lower tensile stress contributes in providing the Upper Gather Region 220 with improved regularity of gathering, as well as soft fit.

For the belt-type pant, the longitudinal length LB of the back elastic belt 86 and the longitudinal length LF of the front elastic belt 84 may be provided the same, or the back elastic belt 86 may have a greater longitudinal length LB as in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 1B and 2, when the wearable article is assembled to form the waist opening and the leg openings, the wearable article 20 is folded along the transverse centerline TX such that the front distal edge 88 is aligned with the back distal edge 88. The front side edge 89 is also aligned with a portion of the back side edge 89. Then the front belt 84 and the back belt 86 are joined at the front and back side edges 89 at the seams 32. The front and back proximal edges 90, however, may not be aligned to one another. The back proximal edge 90 may be disposed longitudinally closer than the front proximal edge 90 relative to the transverse center line TX such that the proximal portion of the back side panel 82 extends toward the crotch panel 56 of the main body 38 beyond the front proximal edge 90. The side edge of the proximal portion of the back side panel 82 may not be joined to anywhere and free from attachment. Thus, the proximal portion of the back side panel 82 provides a buttock cover 95, as in FIG. 1B.

In the present invention, at least one of the inner sheet 92 and the outer sheet 94 may further comprise a plurality of deformations 202 wherein the deformations are aligned in the longitudinal direction and repeated in the transverse direction. Deformations may be apertures, slits, engravings, embossings, projections, or any other permanent deformation to the nonwoven material for making the inner sheet 92 and/or the outer sheet 94, so long as they are aligned in the longitudinal direction. For example, referring to FIG. 5A, deformations on the outer sheet 92 in the form of apertures are expressed. Each longitudinal deformation pattern may be spaced apart from each other with a transverse pitch of DF1, wherein VG1 is greater than DF1, or wherein VG1 is at least about 1.5 times, or at least about 2 times, of DF1. Without being bound by theory, such deformation provided in relationship with the discrete patterned adhesive bonding 234 assists the nonwoven material for making the inner sheet 92 and/or the outer sheet 94 to be folded within dimension VG1, the folding being continuous in the longitudinal direction. As such, the regularity of gathering is enhanced. The longitudinal deformation pattern may or may not be registered with the longitudinal pattern of the discrete patterned adhesive bonding 234. In fact, it is the finding of the present invention that, even when the longitudinal deformation pattern is not registered with the longitudinal pattern of the discrete patterned adhesive bonding 234, this still enhances the regularity of gathering. In that registration of the longitudinal deformation pattern and the longitudinal pattern of the discrete patterned adhesive bonding 234 may require precision of process, such registration may be omitted. Even when the longitudinal deformation pattern is not registered with the longitudinal pattern of the discrete patterned adhesive bonding 234, by providing DF1 and VG1 in a relationship other than multiple number of integers, a majority of the longitudinal deformation patterns fit within the longitudinal patterns of the discrete patterned adhesive bonding 234 and assists gather forming.

The deformation may be a continuous line extending in the longitudinal direction, or an array of discrete deformations aligned in the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from each other with a longitudinal pitch of DF2, wherein DF2 is not greater than DF1, as in FIG. 5A. By providing the deformations in an array of discrete deformations, the overall area weakened or stiffened by the deformation may be decreased. By providing DF2 the same or smaller than DF1, this facilitates the folding of the inner and outer sheet material 92, 94 in the longitudinal direction as described above.

The deformation may be an aperture on the outer sheet, wherein the individual aperture may be in the shape of an oval, or polyhedron, while having an aspect ratio of no more than about 3, or no more than about 2.5. Referring to FIG. 5A, the individual aperture may have a transverse dimension APT of at least about 0.4 mm, or from about 0.4 mm to about 2.0 mm, and a longitudinal dimension APL, wherein APT is at least about 10% greater than APL. Further, the individual apertures are spaced apart from each other with a longitudinal pitch DF2 of no more than about 5 mm, and APL is not larger than 50% of DF2, or APL is from about 12% to about 30% of DF2. Apertures of such size, shape, and spacing may be visible to the naked eye on the garment-facing surface, and thus connote breathability and high quality of the gather, as well as the entire laminate, even when the gathers are in contracted state. Further, by providing VG1 greater than DF1, the apertures are positioned on the folding as described above, thus the visibility of the apertures are further enhanced when the gathers are in contracted state. FIG. 5B is a plan view of the elastic belt of the present invention in a stretched state, whereas FIG. 5C is the same elastic belt in a contracted state. In the elastic belt of FIGS. 5B-5C, the VG1 is about 1.5 times that of DF1. As can be seen in FIG. 5C, by providing the VG1 and DF1 relationship as such, at least one longitudinal row of apertures are continuously folded in the longitudinal manner to provide a longitudinal continuous gather, while the apertures are situated nearby the mountain of each gather. As such, breathability as well as breathability perception are enhanced. Further, by providing DF1 somewhat greater than DF2 and the individual aperture having a spacing as described above, a repeating pattern 200 may take a longitudinal orientation of apertures. By providing a repeating pattern of apertures in longitudinal orientation in the non-elastic region 221, the non-elastic region 221 appears coordinated with the Upper Gather Region 220 to enhance the longitudinally continuing gathers of the Upper Gather Region 220.

Referring back to FIG. 1A, the article of the present invention is formed by closing the front belt 84 and the back belt 86 by side seams 32. It is desired that the side seam 32 is strong enough to tolerate normal usage conditions, namely does not fail when stretched upon application, or after the article is loaded. On the other hand, it is also desired that the side seam 32 is easy to open after use, namely possible to tear by hand along the longitudinal dimension for removal from the wearer. Without being bound by theory, by providing the outer sheet 94 with apertures having a longitudinal repeating unit which each repeating unit is not linearly aligned in the transverse direction, the entire laminate may be easily torn along the longitudinal dimension without having the tear line deviate in the transverse direction trailing the apertures.

The outer sheet 92 of the present invention may be a nonwoven having a basis weight of from about 10 gsm to about 55 gsm, or from about lOgsm to about 35 gsm, and may have a fiber diameter of from about 0.8 dpf to about 6 dpf. The fiber diameter is described in denier per filament (dpf) used in the industry, which is grams/9,000 meters of length of fiber. The outer sheet 92 nonwoven may be made by processes such as spunbond, spunlace, carded or air-laid; and may comprise fibers and/or filaments made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene phthalate (PET), polylactic acid/polylactide (PLA) or conjugate fibers (such as PE/PET, PE/PP, PE/PLA) as well as natural fibers such as cotton or regenerated cellulosic fibers such as viscose or lyocell. The outer sheet 92 nonwoven may be a multilayer or composite structure combining nonwovens made by different processes and fibers such as combining spunbond and carded nonwovens. The outer sheet 92 nonwoven may be made by biodegradable material, or derived from renewable resources. Exemplary material for the outer sheet 92 include: air-through carded nonwoven having a thickness of at least about 50 μm, or at least about 80 μm, or at least about 200 μm. Such material may provide a soft lofty feeling to the garment-facing side. Suitable for the outer sheet 92 nonwoven of the present invention are air-through carded nonwoven material made of co-centric bicomponent fiber, crimping fiber made through core eccentric bicomponent filament or side by side bicomponent filament. Non-limiting examples of materials suitable for the outer sheet 92 nonwoven of the present invention include: 12-45 gsm air-through carded nonwoven substrate comprising PE/PET bi-component fibers, such as those available from Beijing Dayuan Nonwoven Fabric Co. Ltd. or Xiamen Yanjan New Material Co. Ltd., and 8-45 gsm spun melt nonwoven substrate comprising PP monofilament or PE/PP bi-component fibers, such as those available from Fibertex or Fitesa.

The inner sheet 94 of the present invention may be a nonwoven having a basis weight of from about 5 gsm to about 45 gsm, or from about 5 gsm to about 35 gsm. The inner sheet 94 nonwoven may have a fiber diameter of from about 0.5 dpf to about 4 dpf. The inner sheet 94 nonwoven may be made by processes such as spunbond, spunlace, carded or air-laid; and may comprise fibers and/or filaments made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene phthalate (PET), polylactic acid/polylactide (PLA) or conjugate fibers (such as PE/PET, PE/PP, PE/PLA) as well as natural fibers such as cotton or regenerated cellulosic fibers such as viscose or lyocell. The inner sheet 94 nonwoven may also be a multilayer or composite structure combining nonwovens made by different processes and fibers such as combining spunbond and carded nonwovens. The inner sheet 94 nonwoven may be made by biodegradable material, or derived from renewable resources. Non-limiting examples of materials suitable for the inner sheet 94 nonwoven of the present invention include: 12-30 gsm air-through carded nonwoven substrate made of PE/PET bi-component staple fiber, such as those available from Beijing Dayuan Nonwoven Fabric Co. Ltd. or Xiamen Yanjan New Material Co. Ltd., and 8-30 gsm spun melt nonwoven substrate comprising PP monofilament or PE/PP bi-component fibers, such as those available from Fibertex or Fitesa.

The basis weight of the outer sheet 92 and the inner sheet 94 may be adjusted such that the basis weight of the inner sheet 94 is not greater than the basis weight of the outer sheet 92. Thus, the outer sheet 92 may be provided with a soft lofty tactile sense which connotes high quality, while the inner sheet 94 may be kept thinner and conforming to the outer sheet 92, thus saving cost. Further, without being bound by theory, by providing the basis weight relationship as such, it is believed that skin sweating is effectively transported to the outer sheet 92 and outside the laminate, while preventing the transported sweat back to the inner sheet 94. The hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the outer sheet 92 and the inner sheet 94 may be adjusted such that the hydrophilicity of the outer sheet 92 is higher than that of the inner sheet 94. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such gradient of hydrophilicity is advantageous in transporting skin sweat from the inner sheet 94 to the outer sheet 92 and outside the laminate. The inner sheet 94 nonwoven may be inherently hydrophobic. The inner sheet 94 nonwoven may be provided hydrophobicity by treating with hydrophobic melt additives into polymer resin in the fiber making process, or by applying hydrophobic additives after the nonwoven is formed. The outer sheet 92 nonwoven may inherently be hydrophobic, and thus provided relatively more hydrophilic than the inner sheet 94 by treating with hydrophilic melt additives into polymer resin in the fiber making process, or by applying hydrophilic additive after the nonwoven is formed.

As described above, the outer sheet 92 may be provided with apertures. Apertures may be made by female-male hot pin process, hole punching process, hydroentanglement process using water jets and a screen to create holes, and combinations thereof. The apertures may be made by creating a plurality of weakened locations by heat, pressure, or ultrasonic energy, followed by incremental stretching, causing said nonwoven web to rupture at the weakened locations such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,097. Such rupturing method may be particularly useful for nonwovens using spunbonded fibers and meltblown fibers. The apertures may be three-dimensional, non-homogenous, unaligned and forming a pattern as described in PCT Publication WO 2016/73712. The inner sheet 94 may also be provided with apertures for breathability. Apertures for the inner sheet 94 may be made in the same or different process, size, and density as the outer sheet 92. Providing apertures may alter the stiffness of the inner or outer sheet 92, 94. The stiffness of the outer sheet 92 in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction may be adjusted to provide the desired longitudinally continuing gathers.

The front elastic belt 84 may comprise a waist opening gather zone along the waist opening for from about 5% to about 30%, or from about 10% to about 25%, of the longitudinal dimension of the front elastic belt LF, wherein the waist opening gather zone is in active elasticity and provided with an artwork. The waist opening gather zone may match with, or overlap with, the Upper Gather Region 220. The front elastic belt 84 may comprise a pair of leg opening gather zones along at least part of the leg openings for from about 5% to about 25%, or from about 5% to about 20%, of the longitudinal dimension of the front elastic belt LF, wherein the leg opening gather zones are in active elasticity and provided with an artwork. The artwork for the leg opening gather zones may be provided only along the leg opening, or spanned along the proximal edge 90 of the front elastic belt 84. The artwork for the leg opening gather zones may match the regions where the proximal edge of the front elastic belt 84 is in active elasticity, thus spanning slightly beyond the leg opening, while being discontinued in the regions matching the non-elastic region 221 of the front elastic belt 84. The longitudinal dimension of the leg opening gather zone may be from about 30% to about 80% of that of the waist opening gather zone.

The artwork of the waist opening gather zone and the artwork of the leg opening gather zones of the front elastic belt 84 may have at least a common color or a common shape. For example, the artwork may be a line or a plurality of lines spanning in the transverse direction. The lines may be straight lines or wavy lines. The waist opening gather zone and leg opening gather zone may both be provided with the gathers of low Directional Dispersion Value and/or high Continuity Value as explained above. By providing the waist opening gather zone and leg opening gather zone of the front elastic belt 84 in such dimension and appearance, the underwear like appearance of the overall article may be enhanced. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the aesthetically pleasing gathers of the present invention having high regularity are advantageous in providing similarly regular appearance of the artwork superposing the gathers. The back elastic belt 86 may comprise a waist opening gather zone in active elasticity and provided with an artwork which matches the longitudinal dimension and appearance of those of the front elastic belt 84. The back elastic belt 86 may comprise a leg opening gather zone in active elasticity along the proximal edge 90 of the front elastic belt 84 and provided with an artwork which matches the longitudinal dimension and appearance of those of the front elastic belt 84. By providing both the front and back elastic belts 84, 86 with similar artwork, the underwear like appearance of the overall article may be enhanced.

The garment-facing side of the crotch region of the present article may be provided with visible deformations similar to those deformations provided for the outer sheet 92, as described above. By coordinating the visible deformations in the crotch region and the front and/or back elastic belt 84, 86, particularly the non-elastic region 221 of the front and/or back elastic belt, the integral undergarment like appearance of the article may be enhanced.

Whole Article Force Measurement Test Method

Force is measured using an Electronic Tensile Tester with a computer interface such as the MTS Criterion C42 running TestWorks 4 Software (available from MTS SYSTEMS (CHINA) CO., LTD) or equivalent instrument. A load cell is selected so that force results for the samples tested will be between 10 and 90% of capacity of the load cell used. The instrument is calibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions. All testing is performed in a room maintained at 23±2° C. and 50±5% relative humidity.

The tensile tester is fitted with hanger-type sample holding fixtures 300 as shown in FIG. 6. Each fixture comprises a rigid linear rubber-coated horizontal bar section 302 to prevent sample slippage during testing. The outer bar diameter (including the rubber coating) of the horizontal bar sections is 10.0 mm. The central axes of the horizontal bar sections 302 are configured to remain parallel and in the same vertical plane throughout the test procedure. The gauge circumference is determined by the following equation:

Gauge Circumference=2×(H+D+πD/2)

where H is the vertical gap between the horizontal bar sections 302, and D is the outer diameter of the bar.

The instrument is set up to go through the following steps:

Crosshead Speed 254.0 mm/min Final Load Point 19.61N Hold Time 0 Number of Cycles 1 Data Acquisition Rate 50 Hz

An article 20 sample is inserted onto the upper horizontal bar section 302 so that the bar passes through the waist opening and one leg opening of the article. The crosshead is raised until the specimen hangs above the lower bar and does not touch lower bar 302. The load cell is tared and the crosshead is lowered to enable the lower bar 302 to be inserted through the waist opening and other leg opening without stretching the article. The article is adjusted so that the longitudinal centerline LX of the article is in a horizontal plane halfway between the upper and lower bars 302. The center of the side portion in contact with the bar 302 is situated on the same vertical axis as the instrument load cell. The crosshead is raised slowly while the article is held in place by hand as necessary until the force is between 0.05 and 0.1N, while taking care not to add any unnecessary force. The gauge circumference at this point is the Initial Gauge Circumference. The test is initiated and the crosshead moves up at 254 mm/min until a force of 19.6N is attained, then the crosshead immediately returns to the Initial Gauge Circumference at the same speed. The maximum circumference at 19.6N and the force at 70% of the maximum circumference during the loading segment and unloading segment of the test are recorded.

The maximum circumference (mm) at 19.6N is defined as the Full Stretch Circumference W1. The Full Stretch Circumference (mm)×0.7 is defined as the 70% Stretch Circumference W2. The force (N) during the loading segment of the test at 70% Stretch Circumference is defined as the Stretch Circumference Force. The force (N) during the unloading segment of the test at 70% Stretch Circumference is defined as the Fit Circumference Force. Five samples are analyzed and their average are calculated and reported to the nearest 1 mm or 0.01N, respectively.

Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage and Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage Test Method

This measurement is for identifying 1) the percentage of elastic members on a laminate which are attached to the laminate solely by elastic bonding, defined as “Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage” and 2) the percentage of each individual elastic member attached to the laminate by elastic bonding, defined as “Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage”.

1. The test is performed in a room maintained at 23±2 ° C. and 50±5% relative humidity. The finished wearable article 20 sample is conditioned for more than 1 hour in the test room. 2. The front elastic belt 84 is to be examined with the side seam kept intact and attached to the front belt. Cut the back belt in the longitudinal direction about 20-50 mm away from both side seams by scissors to open the belt from the back side. The opened belt is then carefully removed from the central chassis by hand so as not to alter the active elasticity region of the laminate. Therefore, it is acceptable to leave a layer from the central chassis attached to the laminate sample if the laminate cannot be separated from the central chassis. Cold spray is not used. 3. Observe the laminate sample thus obtained to identify a non-elastic region obtained by tummy cut. There may be samples which do not have a non-elastic region, and for such laminate sample the remainder of this step is skipped, and there exists no “T sample” hereinafter. The portion of the laminate sample extending in the lateral direction that has a non-elastic region is considered a tummy cut region (T) and the remainder of the laminate sample is considered a waist region (W). Separate the waist region (W) and tummy cut region (T) by cutting in the transverse direction by scissors at the middle point of the elastic members closest to each region. 4. For both the W (waist region) sample and the T (tummy cut region) sample thus obtained, the inner edge of the side seams are marked by a ballpoint pen. For the T sample, there exist 2 active elasticity regions. The starting point of the active elasticity region adjacent the non-elastic region is identified by observing the belt gathers caused by active elastic shrinkage, and marked by a ballpoint pen. The total number of elastic members on each sample is counted (“Total Elastic”). Those elastic members which are curved (for example, those extending in the longitudinal direction around the leg opening which do not have direction of stretch in the transverse direction) or which overlap with each other are not counted. 5. Each W and T sample is gently stretched until the gathers of the active elasticity region just disappear, then the length of the elastic length of each elastic member is measured to the nearest 1 mm by a scale. For the W sample, the distance between one side of seam inner edge to the other side of seam inner edge is measured for each elastic and summed up (“Total Elastic Width”). For the T sample, the distance between one side of seam inner edge to the marked active elasticity starting points are measured for both active elasticity regions, and summed up (“Total Side Width”). 6. For both W and T samples, cut the sample approximately along the longitudinal center of each active elasticity region to remove the stretching force. There is one active elasticity region on the W sample, and two active elasticity regions on the T samples, thus this step generates 2 cut W samples and 4 cut T samples. 7. Stretch the cut samples approximately up to the Full Stretch Circumference W1 according to the “Whole Article Force Measurement” for 5 times by hand, enough to make the elastic members slip away from the laminate, however, not beyond the point where the stretching damages the sheet materials constructing the samples. It should be noted that there is a possibility that there may be no slipping of elastic members. 8. Mark each individual elastic at the point up to where active elastic remains after the slip by observing belt gathering by active elastic shrinkage. 9. The cut samples are again gently stretched until the gathers just disappear, and then the remaining active elastic length of each individual elastic member is measured to the nearest 1 mm by a scale and summed up (“Total Elastic Bonding Width”). 10. The number of elastics members which keep initial active elastic length without slip is counted (“Full bonded Elastic”). For the cut W sample, a particular elastic member is considered as “slipped” if one of the left or right side cut sample of the elastic member slips. For the cut T sample, a particular elastic member is considered as “slipped” if any of the elastic portions of the cut samples is slipped. 11. “Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage” (%) is the length (mm) of “Total Elastic Bonding Width” divided by [length (mm) of “Total Elastic Width”+length (mm) of “Total Side Width”] reported to the nearest 1%. 12. “Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage” (%) is the number of “Full bonded Elastic” divided by the number of “Total Elastic” reported to the nearest 1%.

Directional Dispersion Value 1. Sample Preparation

An article 20 sample is mounted on a rigid plastic plate which has an appropriate size which enables mounting the elastic belt 40 of the sample in a state stretched by 65% to 90% of its Full Stretch Circumference W1. For measurement of the article samples of Examples 1-2 and A-C, a rigid plastic plate having a dimension of 250 mm in the transverse direction and a thickness of 4 mm was used.

2. Image Acquisition

The sample mounted on the rigid plastic plate is placed on a non-reflective black background plate horizontally. A Canon camera (CanonEO2 6D Mark 2) with lens (EF 24-105 mm f/4L IS2 USM) or equivalent is placed directly vertically above the sample in a length of 1050 mm. Two bar lights (Smart Vision Lights LHF 300 or equivalent) are placed 650 mm away from the sample in the transverse direction, 300 mm away from the sample in the vertical direction, wherein the surface of the light is faced in an angle of 45±6 degrees from the horizontal direction, and the longer dimension of the bar light is placed in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the sample. The focal length of the camera is set to 64 mm. The image acquisition settings are; ISO: 400, F: 5.0, exposure time: 1/160 seconds, and a resolution so that the acquired image has 11 pixel/mm.

Images are acquired for the front elastic belt and the back elastic belt.

3. Image Analysis for Directional Dispersion Value

a) The above acquired images are imported into ImageJ software (version 1.52h, National Institute of Health, USA) or equivalent, and converted into 8 bit. b) The analyzing region image is cropped from the original images. The analyzing region spans in the longitudinal direction from the elastic member closest to the waist opening and measuring 20 mm toward the proximal edge, while spans in the transverse direction of 200 mm with the center of the analyzing region matching the longitudinal axis LX. The image obtained by this step for Example 1 was FIG. 7A. The cropped image of FIG. 7A included the Upper Gather Region 220. c) The images obtained in step b) are filtered using the “Gaussian Blur” filter in ImageJ with a Sigma (radius) of 8. The image obtained by this step for Example 1 was FIG. 7B. d) An ImageJ built-in plugin “Directionality” (version V2.2.0) is applied to the images obtained in step c). The analysis parameters used are: Method: local gradient orientation, Nbins: 90, histogram start: 0. The image obtained by this step for Example 1 was FIG. 7C. At this step, the images are described by the parameter “Dispersion” which is the standard deviation of the Gaussian fit for the calculated gather orientation distribution. The “Dispersion” Value of the front elastic belt 84 and the back elastic belt 86 are averaged to obtain the Directional Dispersion Value of the article. Five samples are analyzed and their average are calculated and reported to the nearest 0.01 point.

EXAMPLES

Examples 1-2 and A-C are obtained as such, and subject to the tests described below.

Example 1

Size 4 (L-size) belt-type pant article having the configuration, elastic profile, and other properties in FIG. 2 and Table 1 below, hand made by expert operator with Lot No. EXP-18-BN3311.

Example 2

Size 4 (L-size) belt-type pant article having the configuration, elastic profile, and other properties in FIG. 2 and Table 1 below, and with an aperture pattern of FIG. 5B, made by experimental machinery with Lot Not. EXP-19-DZ7410.

Example A

Size 4 (L-size) uni-body type pant article sold by the tradename of “Merries”. Lot No. 20190327 was used for Test 1 and 2, and Lot No. 20190422 was used for the other tests, all purchased in the China market.

Example B

Size 4 (L-size) uni-body type pant article sold by the tradename of “GooN Super Premium—Feather”. Lot Not. 20190306 was used for Test 1 and 2, and Lot No. 20181004 was used for the other tests, all purchased in the China market.

Example C

Size 4 (L-size) belt-type pant article sold by the tradename of “Teddy Bear More than thinner”. Lot No. 20190625 was used for Test 1 and 2, and Lot No. 20190424D was used for the other tests, all purchased in the China market.

Example D

Size 4 (L-size) belt-type pant article of the same elastic profile as Example E experimentally made with Lot No. Aka-EO-JAN16-LB, aged for 3 months.

Example E

Size 4 (L-size) belt-type pant article sold by the tradename of “Pampers Hadaeno Ichiban Pants” with Lot No. 83272022P0 purchased in the Chinese market, aged for 12 months.

TABLE 1 Dtex/elongation%/number of elastic members Front waist zone 470Dtex/160%/4 with elastic pitch of 6 mm Front distal tummy 470Dtex/160%/2 zone 470Dtex/230%/2 with tummy cut (*1) Front proximal 940Dtex/230%/8 with tummy cut (*1) tummy zone Front leg zone 470Dtex/130%/2 with tummy cut (*1) Back waist zone 470Dtex/160%/4 with elastic pitch of 6 mm Back distal 940Dtex/160%/4 with elastic pitch of 6 mm tummy zone Back proximal 470Dtex/230%/4 tummy zone 470Dtex/270%/4 with elastic pitch of 12 mm and tummy cut (*1) Back leg zone 470Dtex/270%/2 with tummy cut (*1) Outer sheet material Air-through carded nonwoven made by Beijing Dayuan having basis weight of 20 gsm Outer sheet aperture 0.45-0.55 mm minor radius Outer sheet DF1 3.8 mm Outer sheet DF2   2 mm VG1   7 mm VG2   1 mm (*1) “Tummy cut” in Table 1 refers to deactivation of elasticity at the transverse central area of elastic strands resulting in 68% effective length of elasticity.

1. Whole Article Force Measurement

The Stretch Circumference Force (SCF) and Fit Circumference Force (FCF) were measured according to the “Whole Article Force Measurement” method herein. Results are found in Table 2.

2. Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage and Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage

The Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage (BEB) and Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage (IEB) were measured according to the measurement methods herein. Results are found in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- Exam- ple ple ple ple ple ple 2 A B C D E SCF (N) 6.03 7.13 7.5 7.5 5.3 8.34 FCF (N) 3.58 2.95 4.1 3.5 2.5 4.53 Ratio 1.68 2.42 1.83 2.14 2.12 1.84 SCF/FCF BEB (%) 11 32 52 100 100 100 IEB (%) 25 53 81 100 100 100

3. Image Analysis

The Directional Dispersion Values (DDV) were measured according to the Directional Dispersion Value Test Method herein. Results are found in Table 3.

4. Show and Feel Test

30 panelists who were caregivers of babies using Size 4 (L size) pant diapers and having a mixture of usage experience of major brands of similar price range used in the test were recruited. There were about equal number of caregivers of boy and girl babies in the age group of 25-36 years old. 15 finished product test samples were shown worn on a mannequin, and further provided to the panelist to touch and feel with their hands. All of the test samples were provided without any artwork. For Examples A, B, and C which were purchased from the market, the artwork was removed by removing the printed backsheet, and then reconstructing the sample replacing the backsheet with one that has no printing to make a finished product. Care was taken not to deteriorate the gather quality when reconstructing the sample. Each respondent was asked to fill in a questionnaire individually after observing and touching the test sample one by one. In the questionnaire, there were 7 values as found in Table 3, and each respondent was requested to rate the test samples against those values using the 5 ratings, which were scored as such: “Poor”=0, “Fair”=25, “Good”=50, “Very Good”=75, and “Excellent”=100. The scores were averaged.

Among 15 test samples tested, information for Examples 2, A, B, and C are extracted below in Table 3. Not all of the respondents rated all of the products, thus “Base Size” indicates the number of respondents.

TABLE 3 Ex- Ex- Ex- Ex- Ex- am- am- am- am- am ple 1 ple 2 ple A ple B ple C DDV 10.9 9.6 13.7 15.2 8.4 Base Size 20 29 28 29 Overall 68 ABC (*2) 35 46 47 A Distinctiveness 53 AC 23 41 A 32 High Quality 64 AC 34 54 A 41 Craftsmanship 65 AC 34 53 A 41 Breathability 69 AC 22 45 A 49 A Soft 63 A 40 59 A 59 A Comfort 66 ABC 38 53 A 52 A (*2) The markings of Example numbers after the scores indicate “statistically significantly better” against the marked Example at 90% confidence level. For example, “Overall” rating of Example 1 was statistically significantly better than each of Examples A, B, and C.

According to the “Whole Article Force Measurement” test results in Table 2, Example D which was measured 3 months after manufacture provided a relatively low Stretch Circumference Force. However, Example E of the same elastic bonding method which was measured 12 months after manufacture provided a significantly higher Stretch Circumference Force to the extent it would considered tight at consumer noticeable level. Example 2 of the present invention provides a suitable Stretch Circumference Force and Fit Circumference Force, and is expected to maintain such forces during regular shelf life. The other Examples A-C provided less favorable Stretch Circumference Force.

According to the test results in Table 3, Example 2 which meets the parametric requirements of the present invention have statistically significantly higher overall acceptance than Examples A, B, and C, and is also statistically significantly better or superior in all of the other values. Example 2 of the present invention also has improved stretchability for ease of application, improved fit for preventing sagging, improved comfort and softness, and improved breathability for skin health.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.” Further, every numerical range given throughout this specification includes every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable article continuous in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction comprising a front elastic belt, a back elastic belt, a crotch region, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings; the crotch region extending longitudinally between the front elastic belt and the back elastic belt; wherein each of the front and back elastic belt is a laminate comprising an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and an elastic member running in the transverse direction, wherein the laminate further comprising an elastic bonding which continuously bonds the elastic member for at least about 10 mm in the direction of stretch in a region adjacent side edges of the front and back elastic belts, and a vertical bonding applied to at least one of the inner sheet and the outer sheet with intervals in the transverse direction to intermittently bond the elastic member to at least one of the inner sheet and the outer sheet, wherein at least one of the inner sheet and the outer sheet comprises a plurality of deformations wherein the deformations are aligned in the longitudinal direction, wherein the article has a Stretch Circumference Force of no more than about 6.5 N, and a Fit Circumference Force of at least about 3.0 N wherein the ratio of the value of Stretch Circumference Force/Fit Circumference Force is less than about 1.8.
 2. The article of claim 1 wherein the Stretch Circumference Force is no more than about 6.0 N.
 3. The article of claim 1 wherein the vertical bonding is spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction forming a longitudinal repeating pattern of discrete vertical bondings, wherein each elastic member is attached to the inner sheet or the outer sheet by at least one discrete vertical bonding.
 4. The article of claim 3 wherein the elastic members are spaced apart with each other with a pitch of from about 6 mm to about 18 mm in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the discrete vertical bondings have a transverse dimension VG2 spaced apart from each other with a transverse pitch VG1, and a longitudinal spacing VG3, wherein VG1 is from about 2 mm to about 15 mm, and VG2 is from about 0.2 mm to about 7 mm, and VG3 is no greater than about 3 mm.
 5. The article of claim 1 having a Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage of less than about 25%.
 6. The article of claim 5 having an Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage of less than about 50%.
 7. The article of claim 1 wherein elastic member comprises an elastic strand having a density of no more than about 500 dtex.
 8. The article of claim 7 wherein the article comprises a plurality of elastic members running in the transverse direction and at least 50% of elastic members on each of the front belt and the back belt are elastic strands having a density of no more than about 500 dtex.
 9. A wearable article continuous in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction comprising a front elastic belt, a back elastic belt, a crotch region, a waist opening, and a pair of leg openings; the crotch region extending longitudinally between the front elastic belt and the back elastic belt; wherein at least 10%, preferably at least 15% and not more than 70%, of the longitudinal dimension of the front and back elastic belts from the waist opening is a laminate in active elasticity defining an Upper Gather Region, the laminate comprising an inner sheet, an outer sheet, and a plurality of elastic members continuously running in the transverse direction, wherein the Upper Gather Region has a Directional Dispersion Value of no more than about 11 points; wherein the laminate further comprising an elastic bonding which continuously bonds the elastic members for at least about 10 mm in the direction of stretch in a region adjacent the side edges of the front and back elastic belts, and a vertical bonding applied to at least one of the inner sheet and the outer sheet with intervals in the transverse direction to intermittently bond the elastic member to at least one of the inner sheet and the outer sheet, wherein the article has a Stretch Circumference Force of no more than about 6.5 N and a Fit Circumference Force of at least about 3.0 N, wherein the ratio of the value of Stretch Circumference Force/Fit Circumference Force is less than about 1.8.
 10. The article of claim 9 wherein the Stretch Circumference Force is no more than about 6.0 N.
 11. The article of claim 9 wherein the vertical bonding is spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction forming a longitudinal repeating pattern of discrete vertical bondings, wherein each elastic member is attached to the inner sheet or the outer sheet by at least one discrete vertical bonding.
 12. The article of claim 11 wherein the elastic members are spaced apart with each other with a pitch of from about 6 mm to about 18 mm in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the discrete vertical bondings have a transverse dimension VG2 spaced apart from each other with a transverse pitch VG1, and a longitudinal spacing VG3, wherein VG1 is from about 2 mm to about 15 mm, and VG2 is from about 0.2 mm to about 7 mm, and VG3 is no greater than about 3 mm.
 13. The article of claim 9 comprising a Belt Elastic Bonding Percentage of less than about 25%.
 14. The article of claim 13 comprising an Individual Elastic Bonding Percentage of less than about 50%, according to the measurements herein.
 15. The article of claim 9 wherein elastic members comprise elastic strands having a density of no more than about 500 dtex.
 16. The article of claim 15 wherein at least 50% of elastic members on each of the front belt and the back belt are elastic strands having a density of no more than about 500 dtex. 